Ford Promises An EV By 2011

The healthiest of the Detroit automakers plans to put a battery-electric car on the road by 2011 and says it is developing new hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles that will appear in showrooms within four years.

Ford’s commitment to cars with cords, announced at the Detroit auto show, was one of several announced at the show and comes as consumers and policymakers demand that automakers ramp up production of battery-powered cars. Although Ford was the first domestic automaker to offer a hybrid, it has lagged behind General Motors and Chrysler in developing fully electric cars and said last summer it would only invest in the technology if there was a demand for it. But Ford has changed its tune and says it’s going all-in on EVs.

"It is not a test program," company executive chairman Bill Ford, an avowed environmentalist, said during a press conference. "It is aimed at making Ford the leader in sustainable transportation."

The EV is one in a "suite" of greener cars that company CEO Alan Mulally told reporters includes an electric delivery van that could be on the road next year and plug-in hybrids by 2012. Ford’s already started the push with the 42-mpg Fusion hybrid unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show and making an encore in Detroit.

Ford didn’t offer any details on the EV, which could be developed on the Focus or Fusion platforms, beyond saying it is working with international auto supplier Magna International to develop it. Magna will provide the electric traction motor, transmission, motor controller and other components for the car, which will use a lithium-ion battery and deliver 100 miles on a charge. Working with Magna allows Ford to draw on the company’s deep engineering expertise and broad manufacturing capacity so it can develop the car quickly and relatively cheaply.

"Magna is a world-class automotive supplier that’s an ideal partner," said Nancy Gioia, Ford’s director of sustainable mobility technology. "Developing these new technologies requires a major investment, so it’s especially important to have strong supplier alliances."

Ford has dabbled in just about every alternative drivetrain imaginable, including hydrogen fuel cells, and Gioia says "we’re convinced that electrification is the next major shift in the light-duty transport sector. That’s why we’re making it a significant part of our blueprint for sustainability."

The Department of Energy has awarded a $10 million grant to help Ford develop plug-in hybrids like the Ford Escape, and the automaker is working with the British firm Tanfield to develop battery-electric versions of the Ford Transit delivery van by next year. Beyond that, Ford plans plug-in versions of its hybrids within three years.

"Our focus is to provide fuel efficiency for millions of customers," said Derrick Kuzak, head of global product development. "Rather than low-volume niche vehicles or demonstration fleets, we are committed to developing advanced technology that is widely available and accessible."